Replacing Rear calipers?

Question

can anyone give me a web site with instructions on how to replace the rear brake calipers on my car? I have the parts, but no one seems to know how to do this. If I can get a diagram or good discription, my neighbor can do it. I have a 1993 Dodge Intreptid and it is the one with disk brakes not the drums. thanks

Answer 1

It is a pretty basic job:

1) Remove your tires:

2) Remove bolts attaching the caliper to the knuckle...you don't have to remove the brake line just yet....but inspect for any damage or cracks in the lines.

3) Remove old brake pads and inspect your Rotor for wear and thickness. You may need to replace the rotor if it is looking thin and worn out.

4) Get yourself a good C-clamp and place on piston in the caliper and turn to set the piston back into the caliper. (your caliper may have only 1 piston/caliper but possible to have 2. However, if you have difficulty doing this then your Caliper pistons are no good and will wear your new pads really quickly. You should inspect your rubber on the piston to insure it looks good with no cracks or looking worn out.

If the caliper needs to be replaced. Take off the brake line/hose and take caliper into a autoparts shop to recyle the caliper (they will give you a credit) on your new caliper.

5) Once you have the piston in place snap in your Brake pads and set them in. Place on your rotors and tighten up the bolts on your caliper again.

6) unhook your brake line from the caliper and have someone pump the brakes from inside (bleeding the brake lines). to remove any air in your lines. However, if the brake fluid looks dirty...it is time for a complete brake line flush!

7) hook up your lines and test your brakes again to ensure you have pressure build up

8) Add any brake fluid in your reservoir if required to max line since you lost some during the bleeding process.

9) Put back on tire and torque up lugs.

That should be it!

Good Luck

Answer 2

You'll be very lucky to find a site, but here's the bulk of it.

I'm guessing your neighbour can already remove the pads. So remove the pads.
Behind the caliper will be 2 bolts holding it to the knuckle. Remove the bolts, and the caliper is off.
Remove the brake hose.
Replace Caliper
Attach Brake hose.
Bleed the system (very important, like your life depends on it important)
Re-install the pads.

Job done.

Answer 3

Take it to a mechanic otherwise you make get bad advise from people like "Shockey" that obviously has never changed rear calipers and has no clue how to do it. There is an emergency cable attached to the caliper that has to be removed and properly re installed and the system must be bled. Remember your life and someone Else's depend on your brakes working properly.

Answer 4

http://hock.net/m-rear-brakes.php

Are you replacing the calipers, or just the pads? You shouldn't be replacing the calipers unless they are leaking or failing.

If you're just replacing the pads, make sure that the surface of the rotor isn't grooved (make sure it's smooth). If they are grooved, then they should be removed and either replaced or "turned down" (smoothed, which can be done by most auto parts stores or a mechanic's shop)

Answer 5

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doityourself/a/aa090300a.htm

If your calipers are not leaking there is no need to replace them. If you replace them you will need to bleed the brakes to remove the air.

Answer 6

Its as simple as falling of a log if he has basic mechanical skills maybe you should by a manual from a parts store there about $20